Sweden reports sharp decline in burglaries and thefts after tighter border controls

Police data show that between January and July this year, reported residential burglaries and attempts fell 36 % compared with the same period in 2022. Reported boat‑thefts dropped 47 % and vehicle‑thefts 64 %. The Swedish Police attribute the trend to faster cross‑border information sharing and a more aggressive use of immigration law to prevent suspected offenders from entering the country. In 2025 more than 400 people were expelled, and another 240 have been expelled so far in 2026. Seized mobile‑phone chats reveal criminal groups warning each other that Sweden has become a difficult target, with messages such as “forget Sweden for a while – the police there work like demons.” Police spokesperson Linda Staaf Bydén says the measures are aimed at preventing crimes before they occur, and the statistics confirm the approach is working.